Adult Fun Reminder: Ramen Massive Attack!

I know there are plenty of people who are all a-quiver about their plans to invade local apple orchards this weekend, and that's great. But if the thought of corn mazes makes you sneeze, and the idea of toddling screaming mimis jamming apple donuts into their faces while they launch themselves from hay bales makes you want to die a little bit, I've got something for you.

Do NOT overlook Ramen Massive Attack this Sunday celebrating Zen Box Izakaya's 3rd anniversary. John Ng and Lina Goh know how to throw it down. Let's tick off the reasons you'll want to go:

1. The real ancient Chinese secret is "Some ramen a day will keep the doctor away." Bet you didn't know that, huh?

2. Not only will there be a metric ton of ramen, and a total lack of hay bales, there will be the actual, certified, straight-outta-Brooklyn Ramen Burger!!! I'm not pulling your noodle, the tasty morsel that was named by Time magazine as one of "The Most Influential Burgers of All Time" (way better than the Marie Antoinette burger) could be in your greasy mitts. Chef Keizo Shimamoto himself has been prepping them himself and will bring the feast to you on Sunday. But there's a limited quantity, and you have a short life, so consider that.

3. Sun Noodles are something you want to have in your foodie-cred backpack. If you don't have room, throw out the kale and that stale Cronut.

4. Ramen makes friends, which is something you learned from that one guy on your college dorm floor who smuggled in a hot pot. The FOZ (friends of Zen Box) includes Tammy Wong of Rainbow Chineseand Ann Kim of Pizzeria Lola showing you fun things to do with food in the Mill City Baking Lab. And the Travailians have promised to show up with pork ribs and a ruckus, as they do. Also pork dumplings, dahling. (Bring cash for food and drink.)

5. Which other weekend event has sake, Asahi, and Surly as your libation options? None.

6. If you have achieved enlightenment, you'll understand how awesome theGolden Hour will be. This limited (31 left last time I checked!!) ticket package for a mere $30 gets you early entrance, exclusive access to the Ramen Burger booth, a beer/sake, museum access, and all sorts of special attention that has nothing to do with whether or not you're sporting lederhosen. For a change.

7. The music is slamming, and the general admission is FREE.

Fall will last for a few more weeks (read: days), and Oktoberfests will go on for another month, but ramen, dear friends, is fleeting.

Tags

Food and Dining editor Stephanie March writes and edits Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Eat + Drink section. She can also be heard Saturdays on her myTalk107.1 radio show, Weekly Dish, where she talks about the Twin Cities food scene.